Stacy has been working hard for the past week to complete the proposal her team is submitting to upper management. The team's project manager left at noon to play golf with a client. Stacy walks by her co-workers' cubicles and finds that most of them have left as well. At this point, she feels that she is doing more work than others on the team yet is not receiving any more pay or recognition. This perception leaves her frustrated and undermines her motivation. Stacy's experience illustrates a major conclusion of which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stacy's perception of inequity in the distribution of work and recognition is a classic example of equity theory, which states that individuals are motivated when they perceive fairness and equity in the distribution of rewards or outcomes. Her dissatisfaction and frustration stem from her sense of unfairness and unequal treatment. Expectancy theory (choice B) emphasizes the relationship between effort, performance, and outcomes, and it does not directly relate to Stacy's situation. Theory X (choice C) refers to a management philosophy that assumes employees are inherently lazy, unambitious, and dislike work, which is not relevant to this scenario. The scientific management movement (choice D) focuses on increasing efficiency and productivity through time and motion studies and does not pertain to Stacy's motivation or job satisfaction.

Stacy Has Been Working Hard for the Past Week to Complete